Petraeus: Afghan deliberations worthwhile

[unhappycamper]

Petraeus: Afghan deliberations worthwhile
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Nov 13, 2009 13:51:07 EST

President Barack Obama has been criticized for taking too long to decide on the way forward in Afghanistan, much criticized in some circles, but the chief of the U.S. Central Command said the decision-making interim has been a worthwhile vetting of competing views at the top levels of government.

“I think the process has been very good,” Army Gen. David Petraeus told an audience of military cadets, midshipmen and active-duty service members Friday at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington. “There has been very good debate, a very good discussion. … This is the kind of intellectual discourse that you want.”

Petraeus called Obama’s commitment of time to the deliberative sessions, typically running 2½ hours, as “an extraordinary commitment of time by the commander in chief.”

Petraeus has been a key participant in the eight national security team meetings that have taken place since his top commander in Afghanistan, Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, delivered in late August a wide-ranging and sobering assessment of conditions in the country after assuming command in June.

In addition to Obama, others taking part have included McChrystal, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Security Adviser James Jones and Joint Chiefs chairman Adm. Mike Mullen.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_petraeus_obama_afghanistan_111309w/